USS Manitowoc (LST-1180)

• Namesake: USS Manitowoc (LST-1180) was named after the city of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, which played a crucial role in World War II shipbuilding, notably for constructing submarines. • Newport-class: She was the third Newport-class tank landing ship, a revolutionary class that replaced traditional bow doors with a 112-foot aluminum ramp over the bow. • Commissioning: USS Manitowoc was commissioned on 24 January 1971, at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. • Vietnam War Service: The ship made a deployment to Vietnam in 1972, transporting Marines and equipment, and supporting operations during the drawdown of U.S. involvement. • Unique Bow Ramp: The Newport-class’s distinctive bow ramp allowed her to offload tanks and vehicles directly onto shore, enabling faster amphibious operations than previous LSTs. • Operation Urgent Fury: In 1983, Manitowoc participated in the U.S. invasion of Grenada, supporting amphibious landings and transporting troops during Operation Urgent Fury. • Cold War Deployments: Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she took part in numerous NATO exercises, strengthening U.S. alliances in Europe and the Mediterranean. • Humanitarian Missions: Beyond combat, Manitowoc was involved in disaster relief, including hurricane and earthquake response missions in the Caribbean and Central America. • Decommissioning and Transfer: The ship was decommissioned from U.S. Navy service on 30 June 1993 and later transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, where she served as ROCS Chung Ho (LST-228). • Legacy: Manitowoc’s service life spanned over two decades, reflecting the evolution of amphibious warfare and continuing the tradition of LSTs as essential assets for projecting power from sea to shore.